The Beermen hung tough in crunch time to draw first blood in the race-to-four battle for the diadem.
San Miguel nearly squandered a 20-point lead but hung tough for a too-close-for-comfort 103-95 win over Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals opener at the MOA Arena Friday night.
Bennie Boatwright led the way with 28 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks for the Beermen, who kicked into high gear with a 41-point second period but sputtered down the stretch after the Hotshots clamped down on defense.
Usually composed when the going gets tough in crucial moments, the Beermen saw their double-digit advantage trimmed to five, 100-95, after the Hotshots unleashed a 10-1 tear behind sparingly-used Joseph Eriobu.
Though the Beermen were struggling from the foul line, it’s the splits from the charity stripe from CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo and Jeron Teng that sealed the win for them.
Perez scored 19 points, while Marcio Lassiter fired 16 points. June Mar Fajardo added 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Game 2 is set on Sunday in the same venue.
“We just didn’t panic. That’s the main thing. The players were composed. They know how to win. Lucky for me,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
The Hotshots slowly chipped away at the Beermen's 18-point advantage in the fourth period and before they knew it, Eriobu scored back-to-back baskets plus the bonus shot to close in at 94-85.
San Miguel retaliated with five straight points capped by a CJ Perez breakaway layup, but they just could not shake off the pesky Hotshots.
Fortunately for the Beermen, Magnolia could no longer conjure some magic in the final minute.
Tyler Bey paced Magnolia with 26 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Mark Barroca added 16 markers.